Online poll launched to gauge public reactions to new policy on betel nuts



YANGON: -- The Burmese President’s Office has opened an online poll to gauge public opinions regarding the government’s new policy against betel nut chewing and spitting in government offices and public places, reported The Irrawaddy Online on Friday.

Launched on May 27, the new anti-betel nut policy is more strident than the ones espoused by previous governments as it seeks to ban chewing, spitting or selling betel nuts in or near government offices, schools and hospitals.

Critics have contended that the government should instead focus on ridding drugs, alcohol and gambling from urban spaces since these are far more damaging to public health and are contributing to crimes.

President’s Office spokesman Zaw Htay told The Irrawaddy that the poll was intended to gauge public reactions to the policy. He expected that the poll would continue for five more days.

He went on saying that individual government departments would also conduct their own non-online polls in select parts of the country.

Chewing betel nuts is an ingrained habit among many men and women in Burma.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/online-poll-launched-gauge-public-reactions-new-policy-betel-nuts/


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-10

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